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Rothesay Pavilion Project

Latest News - June 2014

The outline design for the redevelopment of Rothesay Pavilion has now been approved - find out more here

Background and what we plan to do:

Rothesay Pavilion is an example of International Style Modernism at its best with little if anything of its period to equal it in Scotland. It was designed by J.A. Carrick in a competition adjudicated by Thomas Tait, who had earlier adjudicated the Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion and was opened in 1938 to serve the visitor economy and local population.

The Pavilion was originally listed in 1988 as a building of historic and architectural importance and in 2005 was re classified as a Category A listed building, recognising it's national importance and affording it the protection it is widely considered to deserve.

It is generally accepted that the condition of the Pavilion has deteriorated considerably over the years due to lack of investment. Many of the interior art deco features have disappeared or have been covered up, and the exterior buff-coloured synthetic stone walls, metal windows and flat roofs and balconies are also in poor condition. Nevertheless, it is remarkably unaltered and is an immediately recognisable structure that stands as a symbol of Rothesay and a source of community pride.

The Pavilion is owned and operated by Argyll and Bute Council, and despite it's run-down condition, still provides a venue for a wide range of local groups, in excess of 40 separate organisations. Due to the difficulties in attracting new and more profitable uses, the Council, as part of CHORD, the multi-million pound town centre regeneration scheme, has now appointed a Project Manager, and a Design Team to develop a new and comprehensive vision for the Pavilion that will see it regenerated for the benefit of the residents of Rothesay, Bute and the wider community.

The construction phase of the project will mean the building will be out of use for approx 18 months; the Council recognises that this will have a significant impact on local groups and the project team will consult and work closely with the local community to minimise the effect.

The project aims to:

Restore the external and internal fabric sympathetically to the original post modernist and Art Deco style.

Bring about the imaginative regeneration of the Pavilion through a package of new and flexible uses.

Upgrade the building to current fire and electrical standards.

Provide more usable and variable sized spaces.

Bring the former caretakers house back into useable space.

Provide a range of community engagement and conservation skills training opportunities.